Build new Bridges – “Children of Commonwealth” Forum Conducted in Kyrgyz Republic from 25th June to 4th July

Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy noted that more than 100 children from 7 Commonwealth countries, such as Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan took part in the forum. The head of the Secretariat also emphasized that the 9^th forum was held during the Year of the Volunteer Movement  in the CIS. Special attention was given to topics of volunteerism and constructive activity. Besides, electoral rights as one of the topics was also included in the program as well as traditional ones: helping others, protection of the environment and youth diplomacy.  

Delegations presented their states’ culture, traditions and customs. Children from Armenia presented their national cuisine, dances and performance about country’s history, while children from Kazakhstan served baursaks, explained tradition of bata and showed national dances. Moreover, ”Tajikistan Day“ included dances, songs, and a presentation of national costumes. On “Russia Day” children took part in workshops   on folk crafts, and prepared a presentation titled ”My Russia,” which represented the country's cultural diversity and achievements.

The organizers presented certificates to participants and to the heads of delegations at the closing ceremony of the forum. The forum coordinator in Cholpon-Ata, Director of the International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of IPA CIS Member Nations (IPA CIS IIMDD) Bishkek Office Nurbek Satvaldiev congratulated the participants.

Head of the working group of the forum Bakhtiyar Kadyrov stated that the organizers aimed to unite children through various activities—educational, cultural, health-related, and others.

Former First Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic and Chair of the Board of the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund Artem Novikov, showed participants how to create business strategies.

MP of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic Chingiz Aidarbekov shared their expertise in diplomacy. Honored Artist of Kyrgyzstan Galina Ketova held an acting class.

The “Children of the Commonwealth” forum, initiated by the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan, has been held annually since 2013. Over 700 students have participated over the years. The forum aims to create an international platform for fostering cooperation among children and youth.  The IPA CIS and the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic with the support of the Humanitarian Cooperation and the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS Member States are the organizers of the event.